Esinem


Esinem is a Japanese style bondage (shibari/kinbaku) artist who regularly appears at UK and international events such as Pride, Torture Garden, Erotica, Rubber Ball, Wasteland, Boundcon, Nuit Demonia and represented the UK at Japan's first international kinbaku event, Toubaku. He is also known for his teaching both in the UK and internationally and as co-organiser of the London Festival of the Art of Japanese Bondage and BOUND, Europe's premier monthly shibari event.

Over the last few years, he has been improving his skills in Japan with the help some of their best known and respected kinbakushi, Arisue Go, Osada Steve, Kinoko Hajime, Kazami Ranki and, grand master of newaza, Yukimura Haruki. Whilst drawing from classical methods, his style is distinctive and epitomizes the art of communicating with rope, often departing from the typical serenity of shibari shows and flying in the face of tradition to produce some striking and unusual performances.

In addition, he has worked on various videos, e.g. Primal Scream's 2013, artistic collaborations and photo shoots both on and off camera. He has been involved in projects providing inspiration for Tom Ford's 2013 collection and, Raqib Shaw, an acclaimed artist who has exhibited at the Tate, Metropolitan and White Cube galleries.

He contributed to Rope, Bondage & Power, edited by Lee Harrington and is currently involved with a number of documentaries on kinbaku. He is also author of the first English language tutorial DVDs: 'Japanese Rope Bondage: Tying people, not parcels' .


Nina Russ


My attraction to bondage started 10 years ago, when I discovered the BDSM community. Until 2 years ago, my exposure to shibari was limited to pictures, videos and discussion. Then, thanks to Stefano Laforgia, rope artist and BDSM educator, who led the first Italian bondage school, Itoh Seiyu; I had the good fortune to become a shibari model and I fell in love with it.

In 2011, at LegArti, a PR exercise in Rome to present shibari, I modelled for Esinem, a very well know name in these circles. After our performance, a beautiful friendship was born and convinced by my passion and ability for rope, he has taken me as his student and model.

Since then I have attended classes with Ranki Kazami and Hajime Kinoko, Yukimura Haruki, all highly respected Japanese nawashi. Of course, being Esinem's model and student, I attend all his lessons and assist with many of them.

My passion for rope has lead to obsessively collecting all sorts of bondage photographs, especially those by my idol, Suguira Norio; his photography features Japan's most respected artists perfectly capturing my vision of kinbaku. Videos of Masato's tutorials, Yukimura's sessions and Osada Steve's stage shows have been a major influence. Of course, my experience as a model has been extremely useful in building an appreciation of exactly how rope should feel and many hours of practice are shaping this into practical application with the help of Esinem. Of course, being one of the organisers of BOUND, the UK's first regular shibari show night, involves a lot of practice on both sides of the rope. I perform internationally, both as a rigger and model, at events which have so far included:

– London Festival of the Art of Japanese Rope Bondage – twice
– Torture Garden (London)
– Fetterati (Madrid)
– Boundcon (Munich)
– Kinky Salon (London)
– Club Rub (London)
– Pedestal (London)
– Rope Fest (St. Petersburg) -twice
– BOUND Shibari Night (London)
– Cirque le soir (London)
– Sh! (London)
– Coco de Mer (London)